“Taxicab” shall mean a motor vehicle, as that term is defined in the Vehicle Code of the state, used for the transportation of passengers for hire when driven by the owner or by an agent of the owner at rates per mile, per trip, per hour, per day, per week, per month, or per other period of time, which vehicle is routed under the direction of the passenger or other persons hiring such vehicle. (Ord. 505 § 3. 2002 Code § 6-21.1).